Ludwig van Beethoven

Introduction

Beethoven, Ludwig van (lŭdˈwĭg văn bāˈtōvən, Ger. lŏtˈvĭkh fän bātˈhōfən) [key], 1770–1827, German composer. He is universally recognized as one of the greatest composers of the Western European music tradition. Beethoven's work crowned the classical period and also effectively initiated the romantic era in music. He is one of the few artists who genuinely may be considered revolutionary.